<p>Hey everyone. I expanded my research and found 3 universities that seem to fit the bill for me. MSU, Arizona and Miami (OH) to be added on to my list. However, I still do not know that much about them to be fully certain they are a great fit, although I have researched quite a lot, I would like to have your opinions.</p>
<p>My profile: International Student (South American), IB Diploma Candidate, 1340/1600 SAT (650 Cr + 690M), SAT II in French, Math II, Lit to be taken in May, 3.9+ GPA, top 5% class rank. Prospective Majors: Political Science and Geophysics/Astrophysics. Assume that financial aid would not be needed.</p>
<p>I know Arizona has a top program in Earth Sciences like Geo and Astro and a solid one in Poli Sci, but MSU is well higher ranked and I like its location better (although I have no problem with AZ), still Miami (OH) is smaller which I like and still big enough and is higher ranked than the other 2, although it somewhat (what I have found) is not that well known for those programs.</p>
<p>What would you suggest for me, considering international reputation, academics, overall social experience?</p>
<p>MSU for Political Science: very highly rated, generally. A related program is the renowned James Madison (residential) college, an intense poli/social sciences LAC-type college with academic components right inside the host dorm.</p>
<p>Michigan State Geophysics/Astrophysics: very strong, many outstanding facilities like the SOAR (SOuthern Astrophysical Research) telescope (observatory) operated in the mountains of Chile; the on campus observatory and the excellent Abrams Planetarium. The HQ 5-year old Biomedical Physical Sciences building (BPS) is the largest on campus and is in the center of a world-class science complex, including MSU's cyclotron, one of the outstanding facilities of its type in the world with internationally-renowned scientists working there throughout the year. MSU promotes a free-flowing relationship between the sciences/scientific research as the chemistry and biochemistry buildings are also in this quad complex and is connected to BPS by overhead walkways. This all presents a highly stimulating – and, I hear, sometimes daunting -- atmosphere to the young, prospective scientist.</p>
<p>I applied/was accepted to both MSU and UofA. </p>
<p>All major universities will have good/great Poli Sci programs. It is hard not to. </p>
<p>But for UofA, which I know more of, you will definitely get into the honors college (probably MSU too), which will help the transition into a large school, because you'll get priority registration (get the classes you want), and have the option of living in the honors dorms, which will help when you want to be around some academically stimulating people. </p>
<p>UofA offers an amazing program, called the Thoeoretical Astrophysics, which combines physics, astronomy, and planetary sciences, which all usually go hand-in-hand. The school offers some intense research opportunities and is a better environment for year-round study. As for facilties, there is the Steward Observatory in Tuscon, and also the famous Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, which isn't that far from Tuscon. MSU has much better study abroad programs, but UofA offers a lot as well.</p>
<p>If I were to choose, it would be between MSU and UofA, but I wouldn't know which to choose, because I am not attending either.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I won't be able to visit the universities since I am quite far away so I will have to mostly rely on my research. That is wonderful information on both that you have given me. I was just wondering which one (if one has an advantage) in placement to PhDs and whether one has an advantage in reputation both inside and outside the US?</p>
<p>Hey I was accepted into MSU and wat a coincidence cause im from EL Salvador. Im really american but i attended high school in EL Salvador. Im going to visit MSU However many tell me its real nice. the campus has a lot of historical building if u like all that. Miami (OH) I would not reccommend. Its literally in the middle of nowhere in Ohio. Frankly if u want a school in Ohio I would reccommend Ohio State University which is really good in Political Science. I got accepted there as well and its really really nice. I would Choos between Arizona and MSU. Arizona is not ranked as high as MSU if ur into rankings and prestige but nevertheless, it is still a top public school. As for life at either school, MSU is cold weather/snow with Pine trees and the campus is surrounded with dense woods and a big river. Arizona is a more warmer climate.Chicks dig that and hence Arizona and Arizona State have some of the hottests chicks in the US. However the vegetation is desert like. I love greeeeenery and woods since im ustu it and I personally could not live in a desert. However it depends on personal taste. Both of those schools are in nice college towns. te area around the school is designed for college students and u definately have a nice college experience in either. </p>
<p>overall, I reccommend MSU for political science and Arizona for Geophysics. If u plan on returning to work in Latin American though, I dont think the quality of life for a degree in astrophysics will do u much good as opposed to political science. GOOOD LUCK</p>